Wild Swans Analysis
Year 11 Short Story Unit Writing Task
How does “Wild Swans” explore the central character’s experience of adolescence?
In Alice Munro’s short narrative Wild Swans, the female adolescent narrator, Rose, travels alone on a train ride to Toronto. On the train she is sexually harassed by a minister and through Rose’s reactions to the harassment, readers are given a vivid image of how Rose experiences adolescence. Throughout the story, Rose experiences fear and confusion about growing up, prompting herx to attempt to evaluate the world through the perspectives of others, and eventually mature into a woman with the courage to display her long-suppressed concupiscence, showing evidence of a complete transition from a cygnet (baby swan) to a mature swan capable of flying independently.
Not unlike most teenagers, Rose exhibits rebellious and courageous behavior in the narrative, as well as thoughts of maturity and loss of innocence, all of which contributes to form her unique personal identity. At the beginning of the story when Flo warns Rose of the dangers in Toronto, such as the white slavers who would drug and rape young girls, Rose expresses her distrust towards Flo’s words. “She [does] not believe anything Flo says on the subject of sex.”(12) When Flo goes on to recount stories of a perverted undertaker who rapes women on his hearse, Rose thinks, “All nonsense. Who could believe it, of a man that age?” (13) It is clear at this point that although Rose respects Flo, Rose holds a far more optimistic and carefree attitude towards the idea of sex and has more faith in the integrity of the society. Rose’s choice in travelling to Toronto alone for the first time also demonstrates her trust in the society and her courage, believing that she will be safe; this faith forms part of her personal identity.
From the lust she holds towards the grown men in her neighborhood, it is evident that Rose has lost part of her innocence. “She would think about everything [men’s
How does “Wild Swans” explore the central character’s experience of adolescence?
In Alice Munro’s short narrative Wild Swans, the female adolescent narrator, Rose, travels alone on a train ride to Toronto. On the train she is sexually harassed by a minister and through Rose’s reactions to the harassment, readers are given a vivid image of how Rose experiences adolescence. Throughout the story, Rose experiences fear and confusion about growing up, prompting herx to attempt to evaluate the world through the perspectives of others, and eventually mature into a woman with the courage to display her long-suppressed concupiscence, showing evidence of a complete transition from a cygnet (baby swan) to a mature swan capable of flying independently.
Not unlike most teenagers, Rose exhibits rebellious and courageous behavior in the narrative, as well as thoughts of maturity and loss of innocence, all of which contributes to form her unique personal identity. At the beginning of the story when Flo warns Rose of the dangers in Toronto, such as the white slavers who would drug and rape young girls, Rose expresses her distrust towards Flo’s words. “She [does] not believe anything Flo says on the subject of sex.”(12) When Flo goes on to recount stories of a perverted undertaker who rapes women on his hearse, Rose thinks, “All nonsense. Who could believe it, of a man that age?” (13) It is clear at this point that although Rose respects Flo, Rose holds a far more optimistic and carefree attitude towards the idea of sex and has more faith in the integrity of the society. Rose’s choice in travelling to Toronto alone for the first time also demonstrates her trust in the society and her courage, believing that she will be safe; this faith forms part of her personal identity.
From the lust she holds towards the grown men in her neighborhood, it is evident that Rose has lost part of her innocence. “She would think about everything [men’s